vft dormancy

[daniello]

now that it is august, i am starting to think about winter, and setting up a nice dormancy for my plants. how do i know when it is time for them to go dormant? will their growth slow down automatically, or do i have to give the plants some kind of cue? i imagine the two plants that are outside will figure out when winter is coming, but will the two that are in the terrarium, under lights, start to go dormant on their own?

i don't (yet) have an outdoor bog, and don't think i can provide suitable conditions for the vfts to survive outside in -40. so i am trying to decide what is the best "alternate" way to provide them with dormancy. my options are:

1. in a plastic bag in my fridge
2. up against a cool-ish window in my basement where they will still get some light

pros/cons? other suggestions? i know, i still have a couple months to think about it, i just want to make sure i'm keeping on top of things...

[eql]

does the terrarium get any natural light?
in the fall the VFTs start growing really wide leaves near the trap, (in order to get more sun and more photosynthesis)... this should give you a clue as to when to start preparing them!
*EQL*

[Rick Hillier]

If you put them against the "coolish" window, the decrease in photo period should slow them down. Once you notice the slowdown, allow the growing media to get drier (not bone dry, but just damp). There's no need to put them in plastic bags, as it will encourage rot.

To further discourage rot, I would try to get some wettable sulphur powder and lightly sprinkle it over the surface of the pot.

If you have access to a cold cellar, that might be the best storage place for the winter (Jay has had tremendous success with this method - he could fill you in on the details if you ask nicely .

>>> Rick <<<

[lloyd]

I'd go with the cold cellar, it worked great for my S. leucophylla this year. I'm going to try it for more stuff this year. The sarr's and VFT's didn't like the fridge too much.

[Rug]

Whats yer temp in the cellar?? Does it have to be real cold or just the cool air coupled with the lack of light?

[Sawchuk]

which would you consider harder, caring for a plant while growing or caring for a plant while dormant??

[tom]

dormant, definatly! the humidity conditions can be hard to maintain right without rot, especially in cold environnement

[Sawchuk]

uuugh i was hopin you wouldent say that
weeeelllllll
im sure ill do ok just make sure you post your tips and tricks before its to late alright!!

[tom]

lol, its not that hard, depending if you keep it on your cool windowsill (the easiest way) or in the fridge. The latter is more encline to mold/rot problem.

[daniello]

my parents have a really great cold cellar, and that was one of the options i was considering, except that they live two hours away and i can't expect them to check up and take care of my plants all winter if it is complicated. how often do you have to check up on them in dormancy? if they are in a cold cellar with no light, how damp must they be maintained? (my mom grows orchids, so i do trust her to be somewhat careful with them if she knows what to do...).

the terrarium is in the same room as the large south-facing window, but gets light from it very indirectly. i think once i see the outside vft starting to "go to sleep" i will start encouraging the inside one to go dormant too, maybe put it in the basement window for a while, then put them both in the cold cellar? maybe?

[lloyd]

My cold cellar is around 10-13C and dark. It's in the house so it doesn't get that cold. It gets a lot of air flow and is pretty dry. I find I would have to water a little once a week.

[daniello]

i think theirs might get nearer to freezing when it is really cold in the winter. they overwinter their pond goldfish in the cold cellar in large tupperware tubs, and during the coldest part of the winter the tubs sometimes have a thin layer of ice on top. i'm not really sure, exactly, how cold it gets (i guess i should ask them) -- but i'm guessing from 0-5 degrees? is that too cold for overwintering cps?

[lloyd]

That's probably perfect.

[Sawchuk]

so 0-5 degree C is the temp, is light neccesary??, iv read that 10 hours of light for winter is appropriate? and humidity low to avoid any kinda rot, and avoid freeze-thaw fluctuation??

i hope to put them in a deep sleep to allow for best growth next year, no light would prob be better then wouldent it?

[lloyd]

My plants were in complete darkness either in the fridge or basement in the winter. At least I assume the fridge is dark when I close it as I'm not inside to check.